Joe Forgatch threw for two TDs and ran for two more
(San Marino) – Many people thought the San Marino- Rosemead match-up would be the most evenly contested of the Mid-Valley Division first round playoff games. And it was for about a quarter. After the first quarter ended in a 14-14 tie, the Titans scored the next three touchdowns to break it open and eventually rolled to a 42-20 win over the Panthers Friday night.
San Marino used several different weapons to knock out Rosemead. Stevie Yortsos, who is commonly referred to as a beast, was again an animal, catching a 24 yard touchdown pass from Joe Forgatch and turning a fourth down into a first down on a fake punt. Benny Hung scored twice on the ground and rushed for 195 yards on 22 carries and Ben Harwich, who usually makes his living on the defensive side of the ball, caught three passes for 78 yards including a 53 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter to cap the victory.
Oh and as for Forgatch he scored two touchdowns and threw for two more as he led San Marino to the first round victory. The Titans scored on six of its eight possessions.
“It’s been awhile since we were here,” said San Marino Coach D.R. Moreland of advancing to the second round. “Our offense really stepped up tonight and put some points on the board.”
In the first quarter the game looked more like a track meet. After San Marino failed to score on its first possession and punted, Rosemead needed just five plays to get on the board first. A 32 yard swing pass to Oscar Higareda set up a one yard keeper by Matt Macias to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
San Marino responded with eight play 78 yard march. Forgatch found Yortsos on a 24 yard touchdown pass to even things up.
Matt Fregoso and Rosemead were at it again on the ensuing possession. Fregoso broke off a 23 yard run to highlight a ten play drive that started at the Panther 36. Macias connected with Shane Ahhing for an eight yard score to finish it and make it 14-7.
Hung ran over a tackler at the line of scrimmage and was off to the races for a 55 yard jaunt on the first play of the next series. He was finally run down at the Rosemead 23. Two plays later he bulled his way into the end zone from 17 yards out just before the end of the first quarter and it was tied again at 14.
Everyone caught their breath and headed to the second quarter. But things changed for the Mead. While San Marino picked up right where it left off, the Panthers were forced to punt on consecutive possessions.
Two possessions resulted in two Titan scores as they began to pull away. A 30 yard pass from Forgatch to Reed Semcken set up a one yard sneak by Forgatch. A fake punt that Yortsos ran for 16 yards and a first down led to a 10 yard TD scamper by Forgatch.
After the halftime break, Hung capped a ten play drive with a 13 yard touchdown run to knock out the Panthers. Hung’s TD bolt, his second of the night gave San Marino a 35-14 lead and for all intent and purposes, that was the old ballgame.
After Rosemead scored later in the third on a 37 yard pass from Macias to Greg Parham, San Marino did what it had done all night- respond. Forgatch found Harwich over the middle and he rumbled 53 yards to the end zone for the final score of the night.
Forgatch completed 12 of 19 for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Fregoso, who has had a huge year for Rosemead, rushed for 170 yards on 27 carries.
San Marino will face Azusa next week at Citrus College. The Aztecs knocked off Covina 41-13 Thursday night to advance.
“Azusa is a good team. We’ll have to be ready,” Moreland said.
Rosemead finished 5-6 overall.
R 14 0 6 20 20
SM 14 14 14 0 42
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